BET’s ‘The Game’ Has Been Called Off; Mara Brock Akil Tells Why

Yes, BET’s “The Game” from Mara Brock Akil, is coming to an end after the conclusion of seasons eight and nine, which are being taped now to air in early 2015.

Here’s the official BET statement:

“All good things must come to an end and after celebrating four successful seasons of “The Game” on BET, the Network has announced production is underway on the show’s final two seasons. In January 2011 the cult following of The Game proved that the show was a fan favorite with 7.7 million viewers for its premiere debut on BET. With seasons eight and nine, we’re excited to end on a high note by giving Sabers fans a chance to bid farewell to their favorite players on and off the field.”

But the show was doing well, so why end it? Here’s what Brock Akil had to say in an interview with BET:

What made you decide that seasons eight and nine would be the last for “The Game?”

Shows do end; that is a part the business. I’m very happy BET gave The Game five additional seasons to explore these characters and this world. We made history when we got to the network and it’s nice to be able to celebrate the great achievements of the show.

Looking back, is there any storyline that you would have changed?

No, I don’t live in that place. I don’t regret anything that we’ve done.

What is the legacy that you hope “The Game” will leave behind to its audience?

I’m really proud of the look of our show, that we took a multi-cam budget and turned it into a single camera show. Its look, its tone, its approach, the characters’ development — that, yes, we were a half-hour comedy but we used our moments to deepen the characters. We also offered drama in a half-hour space. And that was my own personal desire, but it was also reflective of what the audience has been wanting, which is more well-rounded, deeper, richer, layered characters, and they got that in “The Game.”

I believe The Game and the richness of the characters, including building off of Girlfriends back when, has contributed to the conversation of where we are today in media, both in television and film as it relates to what we demand and what we want from characters that look like us, and stories that look like us.

You can MORE of Mara Brock Akil’s comments on calling the “The Game” off at BET.